Teaching set

Observed lessons

Beware of people who seem concerned about others but who are really
concerned first for themselves, or who seem skilful but who are really
incompetent.

Do not pass by those who may seem severe and forbidding but who actually
have good people skills.

Also seek those who seem ineffective but who quietly get things done and
are more successful than others.

Discussion

Selection is probably the most
important process in any organization, yet is often done casually and badly.
This is partly because recruiters often over-estimate their own ability to sum
up people. We tend to think we are good at it, while we are actually very poor
at guessing what people are like on the inside.

This lesson summarizes the two key errors: selecting those who are unsuitable
and not selecting those who are suitable.